Selfsufficientish.com

Stonehead wrote: The scythe, which is sharp enough to split a hair, had slit the end of my thumb to the bone

Ouch indeed, I don't carry mine around without the blade guard on (which is only a small piece of plastic, I intend to get/make a canvas cover for it). I am aware it doesn't make me imune, but I try and cut out the risks where I can, so the blade cover is on unless I am about to use it.

As for topping perhaps I should stop trying to improve my technique now cos all I managed today in the few mins I had spare to play was a 30 ft strip, neatly trimmed to about 4 inches and all the grass in a neat line at the side! more seriously though I am please at how fast it is comming together. guess I must be really sad but it is quite a theraputic activity, and good for me as the results of my labour are obvious to see, and I do like to be able to see what I've done.

colhut wrote:Ouch indeed, I don't carry mine around without the blade guard on (which is only a small piece of plastic, I intend to get/make a canvas cover for it). I am aware it doesn't make me imune, but I try and cut out the risks where I can, so the blade cover is on unless I am about to use it.

Does that include moving from one part of the job to another? That's what I was doing - walking from the lower part of the hill to the higher.

Still, at least I know the scythe is sharp!!

As for topping perhaps I should stop trying to improve my technique now cos all I managed today in the few mins I had spare to play was a 30 ft strip, neatly trimmed to about 4 inches and all the grass in a neat line at the side! more seriously though I am please at how fast it is comming together. guess I must be really sad but it is quite a theraputic activity, and good for me as the results of my labour are obvious to see, and I do like to be able to see what I've done.

Nice one! It's a great way to work, isn't it.

Stonehead - they say that blood makes a first class fertiliser but somehow I don't think that is quite how you are supposed to apply it!

I love scything -- I just use a hand scythe that brings out the mad axeman in me.

I do fear for my limbs though!

Paddy's mum wrote:Stonehead - they say that blood makes a first class fertiliser but somehow I don't think that is quite how you are supposed to apply it!

Just don't expect me to apply bone as well...